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Seahawks Draft Possibilities

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 29: Defensive end Alex Okafor #80 of the Texas Longhorns pauses during a time out against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on September 29, 2012 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Texas defeated Oklahoma State 41-36. Alex Okafor (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)

With the 25th pick in the 2013 National Football League Draft the Seattle Seahawks select…… Who’s he?

That’s been the reaction from Seattle fans and draft pundits during the John Schneider-Pete Carroll regime. Expect the unexpected.

Last year the Hawks GM/coach combo mined gold by taking relatively unknown pass rusher Bruce Irvin from West Virginia. They scored big on other first rounders like Russell Okung, and Earl Thomas, while the jury is still out on offensive lineman James Carpenter.

Carroll has made it clear the Seahawks need to find pass rushing help in the off season. This year’s NFL draft is loaded with defensive ends and tackles who could pay immediated dividends.

Cbssports.com’s draft guru, and Puget Sound resident Rob Rang gave us his take on the Seahawks draft possibilities during Thursday’s Steve Sandmeyer Show on 1090TheFan.

Rang has Seattle taking University of Texas defensive end Alex Okafor in the late first round. The 6’5″/260 pounder opened some eyes at the Senior Bowl. The scouts say he lacks the quick-twitch pass rushing ability like Irvin and Chris Clemens, but makes up for it with hand-fighting techniques which allow him to rip past blockers.

NFL.com’s mock draft has LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery the Seahawks choice at number 25 overall. Scouts like his “high motor” and pursuit of ball carriers past the line of scrimmage. They also point out Montgomery has not been a very productive pass rusher at the weak side position.

Some compare him to former Seattle first round pick Lawrence Jackson. We all know how that worked out. Let’s try another player, shall we.

The Seahawks could bolster the pass rush by selecting a bigger body for the middle of the defensive line. Rob Rang has a hunch Seattle might have its sights on a large Gator.

“I like Florida’s Sharrif Floyd, who is entering the draft after his junior season,” Rang told 1090TheFan. ” He is 6′-3″, 303 pounds and has played both tackle and end. Floyd could be a good back up to Red Bryant or Brandon Mebane.”

Seattle would have insider information on Floyd thanks to new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who coached at the University of Florida.

Unfortunately, other teams are aware of Sharrif Floyd, including the Dallas Cowboys at number 18 on the draft board. The Seahawks are not likely to move up. Then again, this is Pete Carroll and John Schneider. Expect the unexpected.